Note: This story involves sexual abuse. If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual abuse, confidential support, information and advice are available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-4673. Text chat is also available online.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek sent a letter to the city of St. Helens on Thursday, offering condolences as the community continues to deal with allegations that educators sexually abused students.
A student holds a sign during a protest outside St. Helen's High School on Nov. 15, 2024. Dozens of students and parents have protested for two days, after two teachers were arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting students.
Joni Land / OPB
Last week, police arrested two St. Helens High School teachers for allegedly sexually abusing students for years. The school’s principal and the district superintendent were placed on administrative leave.
Then on Thursday, the St. Helens Police Department announced it had also received a report from the district alleging criminal conduct by a St. Helens Middle School teacher involving students.
Following that revelation, the St. Helens School Board announced it would be appointing an acting superintendent to address the rapidly escalating crisis.
The governor’s letter on Thursday noted that she had been closely monitoring the developments over the previous week.
“My duty as your Governor, and the superintendent of public education, is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students that enter our schools, each and every day,” the letter reads. “I am taking this issue very seriously and I offer my sincere condolences for the current situation that your community is facing, including the trust broken by the lack of transparency and immediate response to the allegations by district leadership.”
As our community continues to navigate developments occurring with the St. Helens School District and the safety our...
Posted by City Of St. Helens - Government on Friday, November 22, 2024
As of Thursday afternoon, police had made no arrests in connection to the alleged incident at the middle school, but said they were working to identify possible victims. The teacher, who has not yet been identified, has been placed on administrative leave.
OPB first reported Wednesday that DHS had launched an investigation into whether the high school’s principal failed to forward reports of sexual abuse to law enforcement.
Oregon law requires certain professionals, including educators, to report allegations of abuse. Choir teacher Eric Stearns and recently retired math teacher Mark Collins have both been charged with sexual abuse of multiple students from 2015 through last year.
DHS confirmed to OPB that between 2019 and 2023, it had received no mandatory reporter complaints of abuse in the St. Helens district. Oregon’s Department of Human Services also confirmed Thursday that it’s now investigating two additional high school employees for alleged sex abuse.
Since the teacher arrests, students and community members have protested in St. Helens, calling for the superintendent, principal and school board members to resign, and for safety plans to be put in place to protect students. All classes were canceled at the high school for three days.
According to DHS, there are six active Office of Training, Investigations and Safety (OTIS) cases into individuals associated with St. Helens High School — those include the two high school teachers who’ve been arrested, the high school principal, district superintendent and two teachers who’ve been most recently implicated in possible abuse.
Kotek’s letter also addresses the cases DHS is looking into.
“Once their investigations are complete, they will share their findings with local law enforcement, the school district, and relevant state agencies so these entities can take the appropriate course of action to hold accountable every person who failed their legal obligation to report suspected child abuse,” the letter reads. “In addition, OTIS has provided training on mandatory reporting to St. Helens High School administrative staff this week and will provide training to St. Helens middle and elementary school administrators by the end of December.”
Students protest outside St. Helens High School in St. Helens, Ore. on Nov. 15, 2024. Two teachers were arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting students, leading to outrage among the student body.
Joni Land / OPB
St. Helens police spokesperson Crystal King said in an email to OPB that officers are currently receiving and reviewing numerous tips and reports involving the St. Helens School District.
“Our detectives are reviewing the information as fast and as thoroughly as possible,” said King in an email. “Our officers need time to vet the validity of the information that we receive before we release any details.”
The vice chair of the school board, Trinity Monahan, issued a statement saying the board was “appalled and deeply saddened” by the growing crisis. “The education service district has also engaged an external, third-party investigator.” Monahan said, “to review the efficacy of district policy implementation, systems for accountability and staff training, including training and accountability for mandatory reporters.”
The school district facilitated a mandatory reporter training at the high school on Monday, one of the days the school was closed to students.
Allegations against Collins and Stearns came after the school district in March paid out one of the largest legal payouts in state history by a public school, for years of sex abuse carried out by former coach Kyle Wroblewski.
The Scappoose School District also revealed Thursday that Collins had worked as a substitute teacher in the district in 2023. A student came forward Wednesday and alleged that Collins had watched pornography on an electronic device in the classroom.
Both St. Helens High School Principal Katy Wagner and District Superintendent Scot Stockwell have been placed on administrative leave. DHS officials have said they’re investigating allegations that both school administrators failed to report child safety concerns.
The school board plans to have a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to appoint a temporary superintendent. Gov. Kotek offered to help ensure that an interim superintendent is chosen quickly.
“I understand that an acting superintendent will be appointed swiftly,” Kotek said in her letter. “If this expectation is not met within 14 days, I am prepared to escalate the state’s engagement with the district and make a recommendation for an interim superintendent.
“I stand with you and your community as you continue to navigate the impacts from this situation.”